Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)

Ibrahim ibn Azar (Abraham, peace be upon him) is one of the five greatest prophets of Islam (Ulu al-Azm) and holds the unique title Khalilullah — the Friend of Allah. Allah says in the Quran (Surah An-Nisa 4:125): "And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend." Born in the ancient Mesopotamian city of Ur into a family of idol-makers, Ibrahim used pure reason to reject idol worship from a young age, ultimately declaring as recorded in Surah Al-Anam (6:79): "Indeed, I have turned my face toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah."

Ibrahim confronted his father Azar and his people directly, smashing their idols and challenging the tyrant king Nimrod in a famous theological debate recorded in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:258). His people built a massive fire to burn him alive, but Allah protected him completely. Surah Al-Anbiya (21:69): "We said, 'O fire, be coolness and safety upon Ibrahim.'" He walked out unharmed before all who witnessed it.

His life was defined by a series of supreme tests through which he demonstrated absolute submission to Allah. He left his wife Hajar and infant son Ismail in the barren valley of Mecca by Allah's command, trusting completely in divine care. When Hajar ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa searching for water, Allah caused Zamzam to gush forth — a spring that flows to this day. He was later commanded to sacrifice his son Ismail. Both father and son submitted willingly, and at the moment of sacrifice Allah called out: Surah As-Saffat (37:104-107): "O Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the vision. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice." This event is commemorated by Muslims every year during Eid al-Adha.

Together with Ismail, Ibrahim raised the foundations of the Kabah, supplicating: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:127-129): "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing. Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation to You." This prayer was answered in the prophethood of Muhammad ☪. Ibrahim received the Suhuf Ibrahim (Scrolls of Ibrahim), mentioned in Surah Al-Ala (87:19).

He is the common patriarch of the prophetic chains descending through both Ismail (the Arab line, culminating in Muhammad ☪) and Ishaq (the Israelite line, culminating in Isa). Muslims invoke blessings upon him in every prayer alongside the Prophet Muhammad ☪. His legacy of pure monotheism — millat Ibrahim — is the foundation upon which Islam stands. Allah says in Surah Al Imran (3:67): "Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [in submission to Allah]. And he was not of the polytheists."